The role of multistraine probiotics in non-specific seasonal prevention of acute respiratory infections in children with recurrent URTI in organized teams

Abstract

Introduction. A broad evidence base of numerous randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses asserts the role of intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in the development of various diseases, including those of infectious origin, in infancy and later stages of life.Purpose. Assessment of the efficacy of a multi-strain immuno-probiotic during rehabilitation of frequently ill children visiting organized groups during the period of epidemiological distress for acute respiratory diseases.Materials and methods.93 children older than 3 years of age were enrolled in an open comparative prospective clinical observation during the high-risk respiratory infection period – November, December. Children were observed for 1.5 months during administration of the multi-strain probiotic and 1 month after discontinuation of the probiotic. The subjects were randomized into two groups: the treatment group (60 children) received the multi-strain probiotic in the maximum age-specific dosage variances (children aged 3 to 12 years old – 1 capsule, older than 12 years of age – 2 capsules) once a day in the morning for 14 days and the comparison group (33 children) did not receive the multi-probiotic for the same period.Results and discussion. It was found that the incidence of disease in children receiving the multi-probiotic (the treatment group – 60 children) was statistically lower, and the disease severity was milder than in the group of children, who did not receive the probiotic (the comparison group – 33 children). Not a single child who received the multi-probiotic in the course of disease did not require antibiotic therapy during the entire observation period. Moreover, the incidence of respiratory infections in the treatment group within a month after discontinuation of the probiotic was 4.6 times lower than in the comparison group. No side effects were reported.Conclusions. The study results allowed the author to recommend the use of a multi-strain immuno-probiotic as a nonspecific immunomodulatory supplement for the seasonal prevention of acute respiratory infections, especially in frequently ill children at a high risk of infections.